Ser Balon states that [[Cersei Lannister]] wishes him to bring [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] back to King's Landing to visit her brother. Prince Doran or a retainer is invited to fill the vacant Dornish seat on the [[small council]], while Prince [[Trystane Martell|Trystane]] is invited to see the city. Doran states that traveling by ship may be easier, but this unnerves Ser Balon, who states that a voyage by sea would be too dangerous. Doran agrees he is probably right.

Ser Balon states that [[Cersei Lannister]] wishes him to bring [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] back to King's Landing to visit her brother. Prince Doran or a retainer is invited to fill the vacant Dornish seat on the [[small council]], while Prince [[Trystane Martell|Trystane]] is invited to see the city. Doran states that traveling by ship may be easier, but this unnerves Ser Balon, who states that a voyage by sea would be too dangerous. Doran agrees he is probably right.

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In a private chamber, Doran Martell reveals to Tyene, Obara, Nymeria, [[Areo Hotah]] and his daughter that the party would be ambushed by brigands shouting "halfman" during the journey to King's Landing, Trystane would be killed in the attack, and Ser Balon will falsely claim that he saw [[Tyrion Lannister]]. This plan was orchestrated by [[Cersei Lannister]] and shocks those present. Prince Doran says he was informed of this plot by a "friend" in [[Kingslanding]] (possibly [[Varys]]) and was dubious himself until Ser Balon confirmed his suspicions by trying to persuade him to avoid a voyage by ship (which would have disrupted all of Cersei's arrangements). The Sand Snakes are enraged, but Doran will not allow them to harm Ser Balon as he was under the protection of the [[Guest right|guest right]].

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In a private chamber, Doran Martell reveals to Tyene, Obara, Nymeria, [[Areo Hotah]] and his daughter that the party would be ambushed by brigands shouting "halfman" during the journey to King's Landing, Trystane would be killed in the attack, and Ser Balon will falsely claim that he saw [[Tyrion Lannister]]. This plan was orchestrated by [[Cersei Lannister]] and shocks those present. Prince Doran says he was informed of this plot by a "friend" in [[King's s Landing]] and was dubious himself until Ser Balon confirmed his suspicions by trying to persuade him to avoid a voyage by ship (which would have disrupted all of Cersei's arrangements). The Sand Snakes are enraged, but Doran will not allow them to harm Ser Balon as he was under the protection of the [[Guest right|guest right]].

To stop this scheme from coming to fruition, Doran had Ser Balon brought to Myrcella and finds out about her injuries by [[Gerold Dayne]]. Myrcella lies (under Arianne's direction) and claims that Ser Gerold also killed [[Arys Oakheart]]. Myrcella then begged Ser Balon to bring Dayne to justice. Doran had [[Obara Sand|Obara]] escort Ser Balon to [[High Hermitage]], and he is currently hunting for Darkstar.<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]], [[Epilogue (A Dance with Dragons)|Epilogue]], page 952</ref> Doran then sent [[Nymeria Sand|Nymeria]] to Kingslanding to claim the vacant seat on the small council, and [[Tyene Sand|Tyene]] to the great sept of Baelor to befriend the New [[High Sparrow|High Septon]].{{Ref|aDwD|38}}

To stop this scheme from coming to fruition, Doran had Ser Balon brought to Myrcella and finds out about her injuries by [[Gerold Dayne]]. Myrcella lies (under Arianne's direction) and claims that Ser Gerold also killed [[Arys Oakheart]]. Myrcella then begged Ser Balon to bring Dayne to justice. Doran had [[Obara Sand|Obara]] escort Ser Balon to [[High Hermitage]], and he is currently hunting for Darkstar.<ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]], [[Epilogue (A Dance with Dragons)|Epilogue]], page 952</ref> Doran then sent [[Nymeria Sand|Nymeria]] to Kingslanding to claim the vacant seat on the small council, and [[Tyene Sand|Tyene]] to the great sept of Baelor to befriend the New [[High Sparrow|High Septon]].{{Ref|aDwD|38}}

Doran Nymeros Martell is the Prince of Dorne and Lord of Sunspear. He is a cautious, pensive man who does not wear his emotions on his sleeve. He has a bad case of gout and has trouble walking. He attempts to appear neutral in the War of the Five Kings, but has shown a desire to avenge his murdered sister Elia Martell. He is rarely seen in public because of the gout, as he does not want to appear weak to his enemies.

Because of the early deaths of Olyvar and Mors and the difference in age with his surviving siblings, Doran was raised alone. This may have stimulated his tendency of not speaking out his thoughts. He squired at Salt Shore.[1]

He met his wife Mellario of Norvos while traveling in the Free Cities. They fell in love and were married. During their betrothal, Doran's siblings Elia and Oberyn traveled through the south on a quest to find suitable matches, while Doran stayed behind as castellan of Sunspear.[2] Although Mellario was high born enough to become his wife, most marriages between nobles in Westeros are political marriages and a love match is very uncommon. The couple had three children.

Although they married out of love, the marriage was not very happy. Mellario could not get used to Dornish customs. Shortly after the birth of Trystane, Quentyn was sent to be fostered as the ward and squire of Lord Anders Yronwood. This was done to make peace with the Yronwoods after the previous Lord Ormond Yronwood had died of his wounds taken in a duel with Oberyn. Mellario did not approve and went back to Norvos.

In his fifties, Doran became badly afflicted with gout, losing much of his ability to walk, and so is usually confined to a wheelchair. He spends a great deal of time at the Water Gardens, the summer home of the Martells, watching children play. He avoids the commoners and only sees his trusted courtiers and advisors to hide his weakness from his enemies.

Doran's mother died during or shortly after Robert's Rebellion and Doran succeeded her. The Martells had ties with the Targaryens and had supported them during the war.

Because of the murder of Elia, Oberyn wanted Dorne to rally for Viserys, the surviving Targaryen heir, after the Sack of King's Landing, but Doran decided otherwise. In negotiations with Jon Arryn, the matter was put to rest, although people suspected that the Martells (including Doran) still harbored hate for the Lannisters.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Doran originally refused to swear allegiance to Joffrey I and considered supporting Renly Baratheon. However, Tyrion Lannister was able to gain his allegiance by sending him Myrcella Baratheon and betrothing her to his son Trystane, offering justice for his murdered sister Elia, and giving him a seat on the King's small council.[3] Once Myrcella was safely in Dorne, Doran would send his armies to the high passes, giving the Marcher Lords something to worry about.[4]

A Storm of Swords

Not being fit enough to journey to King's Landing, he sent his brother Oberyn to claim both the seat and justice.[5]

A Feast for Crows

When Oberyn died in King's Landing,[6] Doran refused all suggestion of going to war for vengeance. He returned to Sunspear to show his people that he still held power, and had Oberyn's warlike, bastard daughters, the "Sand Snakes", imprisoned to maintain the peace.[7] After his daughter's foiled attempt to crown Myrcella,[8][9] Doran revealed to her that he had been working secretly for the fifteen years since Elia's death to rob Lord Tywin Lannister of all he held dear, and that he planned to ally House Martell with Daenerys Targaryen.[10]

Ser Balon states that Cersei Lannister wishes him to bring Myrcella back to King's Landing to visit her brother. Prince Doran or a retainer is invited to fill the vacant Dornish seat on the small council, while Prince Trystane is invited to see the city. Doran states that traveling by ship may be easier, but this unnerves Ser Balon, who states that a voyage by sea would be too dangerous. Doran agrees he is probably right.

In a private chamber, Doran Martell reveals to Tyene, Obara, Nymeria, Areo Hotah and his daughter that the party would be ambushed by brigands shouting "halfman" during the journey to King's Landing, Trystane would be killed in the attack, and Ser Balon will falsely claim that he saw Tyrion Lannister. This plan was orchestrated by Cersei Lannister and shocks those present. Prince Doran says he was informed of this plot by a "friend" in King's s Landing and was dubious himself until Ser Balon confirmed his suspicions by trying to persuade him to avoid a voyage by ship (which would have disrupted all of Cersei's arrangements). The Sand Snakes are enraged, but Doran will not allow them to harm Ser Balon as he was under the protection of the guest right.

To stop this scheme from coming to fruition, Doran had Ser Balon brought to Myrcella and finds out about her injuries by Gerold Dayne. Myrcella lies (under Arianne's direction) and claims that Ser Gerold also killed Arys Oakheart. Myrcella then begged Ser Balon to bring Dayne to justice. Doran had Obara escort Ser Balon to High Hermitage, and he is currently hunting for Darkstar.[11] Doran then sent Nymeria to Kingslanding to claim the vacant seat on the small council, and Tyene to the great sept of Baelor to befriend the New High Septon.[12]

While Doran waits for word from his son, Quentyn, he hears that a fleet of ships are sailing to Westeros and readies the armies of Dorne to strike.

Quotes by Prince Doran

"I am not blind, nor deaf. I know you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberyn was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. No man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes. "[12]